We checked in for a 2-night stay. The property appeared clean and comfortable.
Unfortunately, when I got up in the morning and sat in the living room, a large brown insect scurried down from behind the wall-mounted TV and onto the floor. I have been around long enough to know a cockroach when I see one. I was not fast enough to get my phone and photograph it. My wife was still asleep, so I sat there considering what to do next. I picked up my knapsack off the floor, and luckily it was zipped up.
About an hour later my wife got up and told me there was a big bug in the bedroom. I looked at it, took a photo, and it was a large centipede sitting above the bedroom door. Other than turning around, it did not move for over an hour. Definitely not the same behavior as bug #1.
When I told her about my experience, we decided to clear out, so we packed up and left. It was a Sunday morning.
I sent a text and email to Stacey the owner. While she was apologetic, she was unimpressed with the bugs, and would not consider refunding us for the second night.
Instead, she stated that they had no problems with cockroaches, that centipedes are everywhere in Pittsburgh, and since I didn't have a picture of bug #1 it was probably a centipede too. I pointed out that there was a bug trap next to the fridge, suggesting that indeed there had been insect issues there in the past, but again that was minimized as normal.
Our daughter has lived in the Pittsburgh area for 7 years, and has not heard that centipedes are everywhere.
What Stacey did do (apparently) was get the place inspected for bugs. Within a day she reported to us that it had been inspected, that there were no bugs, or evidence of bug droppings, and would not refund me for the un-used night, saying she would go out of business if every time someone saw a bug she would have to refund them.
It's odd that after seeing two bugs, and photographing one, her response was that they could have walked through the door while we were checking in.
As a VRBO owner myself, I can say that if someone in my home left because of concerns about roaches, I would believe them, and refund them. Also, it was not a 10-day stay we were bailing out on, just one night of a 2-night reservation.
In contacting Stacey by phone, I was trying to help her avoid this online discussion, but all she requested was that I be honest and fair in my review. So here it is, Stacey. You can keep our money. Use it to fumigate and spray.